Accessory for overbed table



June 25, 1963 B. J. OOM

ACCESSORY FOR OVERBEZD TABLE '2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1962 INVENTOR WITNESS ATTORNEY June 25, 1963 B. J. ooM 3,094,949

ACCESSORY FOR OVERBED TABLE Filed March 1, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 10

llllllllllllllll IIII INVENTOR .Beizjamin J: 00m

WITNESS drum, 8 BY Maw United States Patent 3,094,949 ACCESSORY FOR OVERBED TABLE Benjamin J. 00m, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to American Seating Company, Grand Rapids, Mich, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 176,599 '15 (Ilaims. (Cl. 108-32) The present invention relates toaccessories for overbed tables such as are commonly used in hospitals.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide a mirror and bookrest accessory for an overbed table of the type which has a single supporting column which can be disposed at either side of a bed with the base of the table extending transversely under the bed and with the table top extending transversely over the bed; to provide such an accessory which is reversible so as to be accessible to an occupant of the bed regardless of which side of the bed the supporting column is positioned alongside; and in general to provide such an accessory which is convenient in use, reasonably economical in manufacture and attractive in appearance.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of an overbed table having the new accessory mounted on the underside of the table top, the accessory being here shown in a folded, non-use position beneath the table top;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing the accessory in a partially turned position;

FIGURE 3 is a similar perspective view showing the accessory in an unfolded posit-ion for use;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a bed with an occupant therein using the new accessory as a bookrest, the single supporting column of the overbed table being here shown disposed on the right side of the bed;

FIGURE 5 is .a perspective view of a bed with an occupant therein using the mirror feature of the accessory, the supporting column of the table being here shown disposed on the left side of the bed, thus reversing the table top in relation to the occupant;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the overbed table top with the new accessory mounted thereon and in a folded position of non-use;

FIGURE 7 is an end elevational view of the same;

FIGURE 8 is a rear elevational view of the same;

FIGURE 9 is an end elevational view, opposite to FIGURE 7, and showing the accessory in an unfolded position for use;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the table top with the accessory in folded position beneath the table top;

FIGURE 11 is a similar view with the accessory shown in an extended or unfolded position for use;

FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view similar to FIGURE 10 and showing the accessory in a partially turned position;

FIGURE 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIGURE 11 of the table top and showing only those parts of the accessory which constitute the supporting frame thereof and the mounting means therefor;

FIGURE 14 is a vertical sectional view of the table and accessory taken on line 1414 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary enlarged view of latch mechanism seen in the middle of FIGURE 14, in latched position;

FIGURE 16 is a similar view of :the latch mechanism, in unl-atched position; and

FIGURE 17 is a central, vertical sectional view of the table top and the complete accessory, the plane of section being indicated by line 1717 of FIGURE 13.

2 Referring now in -detail to these drawings, FIGURES 4. and 5 show a bed 20 and-an overbed table generally designated 21 associated with the bed for the use of an occupant thereof. The-overbed table comprises a single supporting column 22, av base 23 extended transversely under the bed 20 and atable top 24 extended transversely over the bed. A vertical-adjustment operating handle 25,

which is reversible so that it may be used by the occupant regardless of which position the overbed table occupies.

A disc 26 (see FIGURES 11l7) of plastic or other suitable and durable material is secured to the underside of the table top 24as by means of screws 27, said disc 26 having an outwardly opening retaining groove 28 extending around its upper periphery adjacent the table top. A rectangular open-front sheet metal supporting frame 29 has formed therein a central upstanding circular collar 30 which snugly but rotatably surrounds the disc 26 and which has a circular flange 31 extending from the upper periphery of the collar 30 inwardly into the retaining groove 28 of the disc 26. The supporting frame 29 is thus rotatably mounted on the underside of the table top 24.

The top wall of the supporting frame 29 has a pair of diametrically opposite latch apertures 32 therethrough located between the opposite sides of the collar 30 and the opposite sides of the supporting frame. A spring latch 33 having a handle 34 is mounted on the underside of the table top 24 as by means of screws 35 and is provided with a latch bolt 36 which is spring-pressed against the upper surface of the supporting frame. This latch bolt 36 is adapted to engage in one or the other of the latch apertures 32 for maintaining the supporting frame in a turned position wherein the open front thereof faces the head of the bed when the supporting column 22 of the overbed table is disposed on either side of the bed. When it is desired to reverse the position of the supporting frame 29, the handle 34 of the spring latch 33 is manually pressed upwardly to disengage the latch bolt 36 from an aperture 32 whereupon the supporting frame can be manually turned.

The opposite side walls of the supporting frame 29 are formed downwardly and then inwardly to provide parallel channel guides 37 having stops 38 near the front ends thereof. A rectangular sheet metal slide frame 39 is mounted in the channel guides 37 for forward-rearward movement in the supporting frame 29 and outwardly through the open front of the latter. Clips 40 are slidably mounted on the rear wall 41 of the supporting frame 29 and have downward projections 42 which are adapted to contact the stops 38 on guides 37 to limit movement of the slide frame 39 outwardly of the supporting frame to. a position wherein the slide frame is partially within and partially outside the supporting frame.

.A rectangular sheet metal utility frame 43 has arms 44 which are pivotally mounted at 45 on the slide frame 39 whereby the utility frame is swingable about a horizontal axis. It will be seen that when the slide frame 39 is in an outwardly moved position the utility frame 43 is swingable between a rearwardly-upwardly extending position of use (see FIGURES 2, 4, 5 and 9) resting against the table top, and a lowered non-use position (see FIG-. URE 17). When in this non-use position the utility Patented June 25, 1963 3 frame 43 is movable with the slide frame 39 into the supporting frame 29 beneath the table top 24.

A mirror 46 is mounted on the utility frame 43 by any suitable means, being here shown enclosed within the frame which is of inwardly opening channel bar construction. It will be seen that the mirror faces toward the head end of the bed when the utility frame is in its rearwardly-upwardly extending position of use.

In order to adapt the accessory as a bookrest, the forward part of the slide frame 39 is embossed downwardly to form a book supporting ledge 47 (see FIGURES 9 and 17). A book 48 is shown in FIGURE 9 supported on the ledge 47 and resting against the mirror 46-.

If desired, and as shown, a decorative strip 49 of stainless steel or other suitable material is applied as by welding to the front surface of the utility frame 43.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a novel, convenient and attractive combination mirror-bookrest for overbed tables, and while but one specific embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described it will be understood that numerous details thereof may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An accessory for a table comprising:

an open-front supporting frame having forwardlyrearwardly extending guides at the opposite sides thereof;

a slide frame mounted in said guides for forward-rearward movement in the supporting frame and outwardly through the open front thereof; and

means for mounting said supporting frame on the underside of a table top for pivotal movement about a vertical axis whereby the open front of the supporting frame may be presented toward one or another side of said table top.

2. An accessory for a table according to claim 1 characterized by having:

, a utility frame mounted on said slide frame for swinging movement about a horizontal axis whereby when the slide frame is in an outwardly moved position the utiliy frame is swingable between an upwardly extending position of use and a lowered non-use position, in which non-use position the utility frame is movable with the slide frame into said supporting frame beneath the table top.

3. An accessory for a table according to claim 2 characterized by having:

' a mirror mounted on the utility frame and facing away from the table top when the utility frame is in its upwardly extending position of use.

4. An accessory for a table according to claim 2 characterized by having:

said utility frame when in its use position extending rearwardly-upwardly from said slide frame and resting against said table top.

5. An accessory for a table according to claim 4 characterized by having:

, a book-supporting ledge provided on the forward part of the slide frame.

6. An accessory for a table according to claim 4 characterized by having:

stops on the guides near the front ends thereof; and

projections on the side frame adapted to contact the stops on the guides to limit movement of the slide frame outwardly of the supporting frame to a position wherein the slide frame is partially within and partially outside the supporting frame.

7. In an overbed table having a single supporting column adapted for disposition on either side of a bed with the base of the table extending from the supporting column transversely under the bed and with the table top extending from the supporting column transversely over the bed:

- a disc fixedly secured to the underside of the table top 4 and having an outwardly opening retaining groove extending around its upper periphery adjacent the table top;

rectangular, open-front supporting frame having formed therein a central upstanding circular collar snugly, rotatably surrounding said disc and a circular flange extending from the upper periphery of said collar inwardly into said retaining groove, said supporting frame having forwardly-rearwardly extending guides at the opposite sides thereof; and a slide frame mounted in said guides for forward-rearward movement in the supporting frame and outwardly through the open front thereof.

8. An overbed table according to claim 7 characterized by having:

the supporting frame provided with a pair of diametrically opposite latch apertures therethrough located between the opposite sides of the collar and the opposite sides of the supporting frame; and

a spring latch mounted on the underside of the table top and provided with a latch bolt spring-pressed against the upper surface of the supporting frame and adapted to engage in one or the other of said latch apertures for maintaining the supporting frame in a turned position wherein the open front thereof faces the head of the bed when the supporting column of the table is disposed on either side of the bed.

9. An overbed table according to claim 7 characterized by having:

a utility frame mounted on said slide frame for swinging movement about a horizontal axis whereby when the slide frame is in an outwardly moved position the utility frame is swingable between an upwardly extending position of use and'a lowered non-use position, in which non-use position the utility frame is movable with the slide frame into said supporting frame beneath the table top.

10. An overbed table according to claim 9 characterized by having:

a mirror mounted on the utility frame and facing the head of the bed when the utility frame is in its upwardly extending position of use.

11. An overbed table according to claim 9 characterized by having:

said utility frame when in its use position extending rearwardly-upwardly from said slide frame and resting against said table top.

12. An ovenbed table according to claim 11 characterized 'by having:

a book-supporting ledge provided on the forward part of the slide frame.

1 13. An overbed table according to claim 11 characterized by having:

stops on the guides near the front ends thereof; and projections on the slide frame adapted to contact the stops on the guides to limit movement of the slide frame outwardly of the supporting frame to a position wherein the slide frame is partially within and partially outside the supporting frame.

'14. In an overbed table having a single supporting column adapted for disposition on either side of a bed with the base of the table extending from the supporting column transversely under the bed and with the table top extending from the supporting column transversely over the bed:

a disc fixedly secured to the underside of the table top and having an outwardly opening retaining groove extending around its upper periphery adjacent the table top;

a rectangular, open-front supporting frame having formed therein a central upstanding circular collar snugly, rotatably surrounding said disc and a circular flange extending from the upper periphery of said collar inwardly into said retaining groove, the

opposite side walls of said supporting frame being weirdly-upwardly extending position of use resting formed downwardly and then inwardly to provide against the table top and a lowered non-use poparallel channel guides having stops near the front sition, in which non-use position the utility frame ends thereof, said supporting frame having also a is movable with the slide frame into said supporting pair of diametrically opposite latch apertures thereframe beneath the table top; and

through located between the opposite sides of the a mirror mounted on the utility frame and facing tocoll'ar and the opposite sides of the supporting frame; ward the head of the bed when the utility frame is a spring latch mounted on the underside of the table in its upwardly extending position of use.

top and provided with a latch bo-lt spring-pressed 15. In an ovenbed table having a single supporting colagainst the upper surface of the supporting frame 10 umn adapted for disposition on either side of a bed with and adapted to engage in one or the other of said the base of the table extending from the supporting collatch apertures for maintaining the supporting frame umn transversely under the bed and with the table top in a turned position wherein the open front thereof extending from the supporting column transversely over faces the head of the bed when the supporting eolthe bed: umn of the table is disposed on either side of the an accessory mounted on the underside of the table bed; top for pivotal movement about a vertical axis so a rectangular slide frame mounted in said channel that the front of the accessory may be made accessiguides for forward-rearward movement in the supble to either side of the table top. porting frame and outwardly through the open front thereof, said slide frame having a transverse boo; References Cited in the file of this Patent supporting ledge formed in the forward part thereo projections on said slide frame adapted to contact the UNITED STATES PATENTS stops on the channel guides to limit movement of 4 Ma t t On May 16, 1916 the slide frame outwardly of the supporting frame 1,453,121 Benner A 24 1.923 to a position wherein the slide frame is partially 25 0 M nd hall Nov. 18, 1930 within and partially outside the supporting frame; 2,332,291 inz Oct. 19, 1943 a rectangular utility frame having arms pivotally 2,640,748 m e g June 2, 1953 mounted on said slide frame rearwardly of said book 2,821,240 M r i l J an. 28, 1958 ledge, said utility frame being thus mounted for 2,851,321 a urg Sept. 9, 1958 swinging movement about a horizontal axis whereby 30 when the slide frame is in an outwardly moved po- FOREIGN PATENTS sition the utility frame is swingable between a rear- 540,946 Belgium Sept. 15, 1955 

1. AN ACCESSORY FOR A TABLE COMPRISING: AN OPEN-FRONT SUPPORTING FRAME HAVING FORWARDLYREARWARDLY EXTENDING GUIDES AT THE OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF; A SLIDE FRAME MOUNTED IN SAID GUIDES FOR FORWARD-REARWARD MOVEMENT IN THE SUPPORTING FRAME AND OUTWARDLY THROUGH THE OPEN FRONT THEREOF; AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID SUPPORTING FRAME ON THE UNDERSIDE OF A TABLE TOP FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS WHEREBY THE OPEN FRONT OF THE SUPPORTING FRAME MAY BE PRESENTED TOWARD ONE OR ANOTHER SIDE OF SAID TABLE TOP. 